A Precious Moment

A few days ago I had a particularly rough day all around. My mood wasn't great, the kids were fighting, and there was some really bad backtalking going on. The older our children get, the more they have a voice. The problem is in not that they have something to say, it's how they communicate it at times that can cause difficulties. It comes down to a heart issue and admittedly, it has started with mine. 

I am reminded of what it says in God's word in:

Ephesians 4:29 - 32

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemtion. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

I can sit here a explain that I am a SAHM that is responsible for the education of 5 children that are 12 and under, and that I live in a new country where my friends and family are not, and, and, and...

Those are called excuses. I am fully aware of all of those things. I'm certain that God has placed me right where I am so that I can grow and be fully dependent upon Him. And I want to glorify God in being blessed to be a SAHM, to be the mother of 5 amazing children, and the wife of a hard-working, commited man whom I adore. It is also a great gift to be able to travel and discover all of these new places that we can see and learn about. It just gets hard sometimes and God shows me that I need to commit all that I do to Him in prayer. It is with His strength that I can do all of these things. 

Fast forward a few days and I sit here today, Sunday, very peaceful, content, joyful, and ready to start a new week. My pastor talked today on Phillipians 3:1-16. It was about Paul pressing on toward the goal to get the prize (paraphrasing here). My pastor talked about the Christian's walk which is one that is a lifelong process until we are with Jesus face to face. We can't sit back and be content with where we are right now and think we have "arrived". We must continue to strive to be more and more like Him. 

My friend, Susan, in Minnesota also encouraged me in saying that sometimes certain struggles we have take a longer time to walk out than others. I appreciated talking with her and being assured that she would be praying for me.

God is so good...all the time. With His Holy Spirit, his perfect Word,  and dedicated friends and family that lift me up and encourage me, I can live out the life God is asking me to. 

The title of my post is "A Precious Moment" which I want to share. On the day that I was struggling with the children, I went off to be by myself to eat my lunch and to also pray. I calmed down and heard the kids whispering in the kitchen. They came to me in a line, from youngest to oldest, with a presentation. They each had something to say.

Cooper walked in and said: "We're thankful for all of our toys".

Then Grant said, "We're thankful for our home". 

Melanie said, "We're thankful for our school".

Braaten said, "We're thankful for our electronics". 

And Austin said, "We're thankful for our food". 

Isn't that a picture of what God wants to hear from us?  

I was speechless. Shawn and I want our children to have a heart of thankfulness. They had me in tears for sure. 

Have a blessed Sunday.